International Mechanisms for Ensuring the Right of Azerbaijanis to Return Discussed in New York

An international conference titled "The Right of Return and Decolonization: Restoring Overdue Historical Justice" was held at the UN Headquarters in New York within the framework of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG).

More than 50 delegates from 16 countries participated in the event, including experts on refugee and national minority rights, the right of return, representatives of diasporas and affected communities, as well as UN experts.

Participants discussed the right of return of Azerbaijanis who were subjected to ethnic cleansing in the territory of present-day Armenia, legal mechanisms and international monitoring of this process.

A documentary film about the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis and the destruction of cultural and religious monuments was shown at the conference. Participants also held a protest action against the destruction and Armenianization of historical, cultural, and religious monuments of Azerbaijanis.

Following the event, an appeal was adopted addressed to the UN leadership calling for the appointment of a special rapporteur.

Baku Initiative Group at the UNGA again. Topic: “Right of Return and Decolonization: Restoration of Delayed Historical Justice” @UN #BakuInitiativeGroup #UNGA #RightOfReturn #Decolonization #HistoricalJustice https://t.co/ZA9IiRnWsL

— Baku Initiative Group (@bakuinitiative) September 28, 2026